The popular social network, Facebook boasting of some 1.4 billion users spanning over different age-groups, gender identities, religions and nationalities has been under increasing pressure for clarifying its stand on sharing of undesirable content among its members. The issue assumed added importance after it was found that Facebook became an effective tool in the hand of militant groups in not only promoting hostility and violence, but for also enrolling members. While there were conditions for posting content, but these were not very well-defined and specific. With the new set of rules, there are greater clarities and understanding about the type of content that would be unacceptable to facebook for posting.

Facebook’s new set of general guidelines which replaces the old one on its website, stipulate the type of content that would not be acceptable in the social network. The objectives have been to curb controversial posts – those that amount to direct threats to you, promoting self-injuries like suicides, providing platform to dangerous organizations that are engaged in terrorist or organized criminal activity and content indicating bullying and harassment. In fact, under the latter category, content, which identify and shame private individuals and blackmailing them, will not be acceptable.

Other content of distasteful nature like credible threats to public figures, as well as hate speech directed at them, are also removed from the facebook. Further, use of facebook to facilitate or organise criminal activity, which causes physical or financial harm to people and businesses, and celebration of crimes too are barred. Content showing or representing sexual violence and exploitation are also not permitted under the new set of general rules.

Author : Syed Zafar Ahmad

Designation:Executive EditorBio:A freelancer with a flair for experimenting with innovative technology and electronic gadgets that could enrich the life of a modern common man, and a consultant in issues touching every-day life of a computer suave professional.